Drilling Plans at Oz Beetaloo Move Forward
ASX-listed Origin Energy is planning to sink two horizontal appraisal wells this year targeting two liquids-rich gas plays in the Beetaloo sub-basin in northern Australia, its Irish project partner Falcon Oil & Gas said on July 31.
Origin has a 70% interest in three exploration permits spanning 18,500 km2 of the Northern Territory, with Falcon controlling the remaining 30%.
Falcon reported that a water extraction licence was in place to drill a well at the Kyalla gas play, with drilling approval anticipated in August. Water bores have been drilled and the access road and the well pad is nearing completion, it said. A water extraction permit has also been secured to sink a well at the Velkerri play, where the construction of water bores and access roads has been approved. Clearance for well pad construction and drilling is pending, according to Falcon.
“We look forward to updating the market when the JV re-commences drilling in the highly prospective Beetaloo Sub-basin in 2019,” Falcon CEO Philip O’Quigley said.
The Northern Territory has lifted its ban on hydraulic fracturing. and Santos said July 24 it had permission to explore for shale in the region.